I'm in. Looking to get near 4 hours this year, as long my dodgy ankle clears up.
Indeed, after the time at Rombalds, my guess is you are aiming at 3:40, I am aiming at 3:40-3:45!
So I am in. First AL and 3 peaksI train in peak district - any suggestions of routes to simulate 3 peaks ?
I'd say a variation on the Edale Skyline but adding in a few more up & downs would be good. Doing the skyline anti-clockwise take as many right hand downhill variations as you can. I like dropping off right into the valley after Lose Hill, then climb back up to Hollins Cross, drop-down to the bottom of the broken road and climb up the side of Mam Tor following a track on the southern side near the crags). Follow the normal route but when you get to the top of Chapel Gate drop-back down to Dale Head / Nether Booth in to the valley rather than along Brown Knoll. From here you can go up Jacob's / Crowden or Grindslow.
The thing with 3 peaks is that the hills are after a long, fast flat run, each peak being an attrition on the last.
listen to Will, he smashed it last year.
I'd only add keep it steady until Ribblehead. The feeling of going through people and dropping them up Whernside and Inglebugger is unbeatable and will make everything feel much easier!
Look at previous splits of people of your standard and try stick to them.
As said by ba-ba the key is steady pace and not blowing up by Hill Inn.